"Covid and mask wearing"

My parent had to be admitted to SCGH recently, via the ED, for a short stay procedure. I was very surprised to find that staff, visitors and patients in the ED weren’t required to wear masks, which I believe contradicts the information on the hospital’s website (published November 21). As I understand it, the ED is included in the list of locations within the hospital where mask wearing is required. My parent has cancer and therefore immune compromised.

I asked a nurse for clarification on the mask rules and I recall they said it was the choice of each staff member. They also told me that covid was ‘rife’ within the hospital, that there were covid patients in the ED waiting area, and in the exact area we were in (which was visible as curtains and signage was around one particular bed), and throughout the entire hospital. I recall they also said that they now treated covid ‘like a cold’. Given that information, I asked if we could request that staff treating my parent wear masks (due to them having cancer & other immune compromised issues) to which I recall the nurse said no, as it was personal choice and unless my parent was having chemo it wasn’t mandatory. I found this extraordinary.

As we waited, a paramedic came in wearing a mask and also asked the team about mask wearing as the paramedic thought it was mandatory. There was obvious confusion, but it feels inappropriate and almost negligent to become so lax with infection control and mask wearing, when it seems Perth is currently experiencing a covid wave (as declared by the Chief Health Officer) and when staff are telling patients it is ‘rife’ within the hospital. Patients deserve to be protected when receiving healthcare. Additionally it makes no sense to not implement more stringent infection control within the hospital….surely SCGH doesn’t want the additional burden of patients contracting covid in hospital which could leave to a longer stay?! Please, do better. For noting, my parent and I kept our masks on throughout.